Heinz snack has too much sugar: ACCC

A Heinz snack food, marketed for young children, is not nutritious, not healthy and too high in sugar, the Federal Court has been told.

But the food giant has rejected the allegations from Australia's consumer watchdog as without merit and said its packaging of the product was both informative and accurate.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken the company to the Federal Court alleging it engaged in false and misleading representations in relation to its Little Kids Shredz products.

The ACCC claims the snacks, made from dehydrated fruits and vegetables along with concentrated fruit juice, were suggested to be nutritious for children aged one to three by the use of certain statements and images on the packs.

In final submissions on Friday, Tom Duggan for the ACCC said it was not necessary to prove Heinz intended to be misleading and the commission's case relied largely on the evidence from its expert witnesses, including nutritionist Rosemary Stanton.

He said Dr Stanton found the food to be more like confectionery.

"This product is not that nutritious, it's not healthy and it's too high in sugar," he said.

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The ACCC case centres on claims Heinz made representations on its packaging that suggested the snack had the same nutritional value as fresh fruit, it was a nutritious food for young children and it would encourage healthy eating habits.

But counsel for Heinz, Rowena Orr, told the court on Friday none of those representations were made and, even if they were, were not misleading.

In a statement, the company also said it maintained its commitment to nutritious food, including age and portion appropriate snacking options.

"Heinz considers the ACCC's case to be without merit," the statement said.

"Evidence was given during the trial that the Shredz products were nutritionally superior to snacks such as sultanas and contained positive nutrients including dietary fibre, vitamin C, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids.

"A number of nutritionists gave evidence that these are important to children in a variety of ways.

"Moreover, Heinz's position is that the packaging of the product was informative and accurate."

With the case possibly having implications for other food companies, Justice Richard White is expected to reserve his judgement to a date to be fixed.